Banners rise, legends stay, but rivalries never fade. Caitlin Clark returned to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for her jersey retirement, but her words weren’t just about nostalgia. As Iowa stunned USC on a star-studded night, Clark took the mic and made sure the celebration wasn’t just about the past—it was a warning for the future. And one comment in particular might not sit well with Indiana Fever’s former head coach.

During her speech, Clark hyped up her pro team, telling fans, “Give it up for the Fever! We’re playing a game right here, baby. We’re coming to town! You better save up because I bet it’s going to be pretty expensive, but we’ll see what we can do.”  Her excitement wasn’t just for show—it was a nod to the Fever’s recently announced preseason showdown against the Brazilian National Team, set for May 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM ET, on Iowa’s home court.

However, the real stunner came when she then turned her attention to Fever head coach Stephanie White while stating, “I couldn’t imagine getting drafted to a better franchise… We got some good players, we got a good coach—she’s probably hiding over there somewhere. I don’t know where you’re at, Steph.”

The slip may have been unintentional, but it comes after Christie Sides led Indiana to the playoffs in 2024, ending an 8-year playoff drought—only to be replaced by Stephanie White. Under Sides, the Fever went 13-27 in 2023 but improved to 20-20 the next season, though they still fell short in the playoffs.

Moreover, as was expected from a first-time head coach, Christie did have her fair share of troubles. For example, struggles with defensive rotations or essential lineup changes. Or even, standing up for her players against the refs were a few aspects of Sides’ tenure that had become a thorn in her side. Even so, when you look at the whole picture, she righted the ship and stabilized it after years of being a bottom feeder.

And her response on X said it all: “Leave it better than you found it.” Because ultimately that’s what she did for the franchise.

Well, circling back to Clark’s words; it might have been all in fun, but for Sides, who once coached Indiana to the WNBA playoffs, the statement could sting.

From rebuild to replaced: Christie Sides’ surprising exit after reviving the Fever

The reason it would is because Christie Sides played a crucial role in giving Caitlin Clark the freedom and minutes she needed to earn Rookie of the Year honors. But despite leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and stabilizing a team that had long been at the bottom of the standings, Sides was let go in October 2024 after just two seasons.

But despite her progress, the organization made a bold move, opting for a coaching change ahead of the 2025 season. Sides’ dismissal felt especially surprising given that, just months earlier, then-general manager Lin Dunn had emphasized the importance of continuity.

“One of the things that really goes into being consistently successful is stability, and I think stability at the top is key,” Dunn had said.

Yet by the time the Fever’s season ended, Dunn had transitioned to a senior advisory role, and new general manager Kelly Krauskopf took over. Krauskopf who was the mastermind behind Sides’ firing justified the decision with a statement that clarified the Fever’s ambitions: “While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana.”

That elusive second championship has haunted Indiana since its 2012 title. While Christie Sides helped restore the Fever’s identity, management believed she wasn’t the one to take them all the way. Enter Stephanie White—fresh off leading Connecticut to the 2024 semifinals and ready to bring Indiana back to the top.

As Caitlin Clark embarks on her next chapter, the Fever’s story is still being written. One thing’s certain—Indiana’s road to glory just got a whole lot more interesting.